This sudden turn of events caught many off guard, leaving them in shock and disbelief.
Outside the grand hall, many clan leaders and elders were equally stunned, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
The leaders and sect masters of various factions were also dumbfounded, their faces filled with astonishment and confusion.
Why had the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, who had been peacefully signing the Prime-Origin Covenant, suddenly been attacked?
The terrifying power unleashed was something even Ancestral Dao Realm existences couldn't withstand.
It was clear that someone was determined to kill the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance here and now.
Once the covenant was signed, the situation in the Prime-Origin Civilization would stabilize, ushering in a period of peace and tranquility.
This would be a tremendous boon for all traditions and clans. Why would anyone try to stop this?
Throughout the process, the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance hadn't obstructed anything, nor had he shown any opposition.
Instead, he had approached the signing with great magnanimity and ease. Everything had been moving in a positive direction.
But now, everything was ruined.
From the moment Gu Changge was attacked, the covenant, which had been crafted for peace, was utterly destroyed. It would never be signed again.
The leaders and elders of various clans turned pale, foreseeing a bloody storm brewing in the Prime-Origin Civilization.
Regardless of whether Gu Changge, the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, survived this attack, the various traditions and factions would undoubtedly face retaliation from the alliance.
At this moment, the furious roars of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance members inside the grand hall snapped many cultivators and beings outside the Mountain of Myriad Wonders back to reality, filling them with shock and horror.
Earlier, everyone had been blinded by the terrifying divine light that pierced through the cosmos, their senses shut down, unaware of what had happened inside the grand hall.
Now, it seemed that the apocalyptic divine light, carried by the Covenant Golden Book, had been intended to kill Gu Changge, the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
Could it be that this so-called Prime-Origin Covenant was merely a trap set by Ling Yuling, the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace, in collaboration with various traditions and factions, to kill Gu Changge?
"Is this true?"
"Was this all a premeditated scheme to deal with the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance? Were we all deceived?"
"Was the signing of the Prime-Origin Covenant just a facade, a cover for a greater purpose?"
Many cultivators and beings were horrified, their backs drenched in cold sweat.
Apart from them, other factions and clans who had been kept in the dark also felt betrayed.
Before coming here, they had no idea about any of this. There had been no rumors or hints.
Everyone had believed this would be a covenant for peaceful coexistence, ushering in a period of relative peace for the Prime-Origin Civilization. Who could have imagined that Ling Yuling and others would be so ruthless and decisive, deceiving the entire Prime-Origin Civilization to plot against Gu Changge?
Such boldness and cunning were both awe-inspiring and terrifying, leaving many deeply unsettled.
After all, no one had dared to think this way before. To eliminate the threat of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, they had simply set a trap to kill Gu Changge, its master.
At this moment, the leaders of various clans felt a deep sense of awe and fear toward Ling Yuling, the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
It had to be said that she truly lived up to her reputation as a former hero who had eradicated the Black Calamity. Though she appeared gentle and elegant, she was ruthless, decisive, and unfathomably cunning.
Boom!
Amidst the shock of the various clans and factions, a world-shaking battle erupted in the grand hall deep within the Mountain of Myriad Wonders.
The members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance pressed forward, and several Dao Realm existences, enraged, unleashed their divine might. The surging power was like an ocean, rolling forward with divine light and Great Dao runes flashing.
The illusions of small worlds and ancient universes intertwined, depicting scenes of the heavens, capable of suppressing all living beings.
Everyone attacked with fury, their anger ignited by the scene before them, showing no mercy.
At this moment, for the members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, everyone in the grand hall was an enemy, complicit in the plot to kill their leader, Gu Changge.
"He's so powerful, he should be fine…"
Mu Yan looked on with worry, her heart still trembling as she gazed at the area that had been obliterated.
There, all rules and auras had vanished. Neither vision nor spiritual sense could penetrate it, as if it had been erased from existence.
The sheer terror of this power needed no explanation. It could annihilate even Ancestral Dao Realm existences, truly a destructive force of unimaginable scale.
They had never expected that the signing of the Prime-Origin Covenant would turn out like this.
Earlier, when Ling Yuling and the ancient existences had discussed the contents of the covenant, Mu Yan had been present. She hadn't been interested in the terms.
Because before this, Gu Changge had told her that the development of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance would inevitably make the Prime-Origin Civilization wary, so the clans would surely devise measures like the Prime-Origin Covenant to curb its growth.
At the time, Mu Yan had asked him what he would do. Would he lead the Heaven-Slaying Alliance to conquer those traditions and factions?
Gu Changge had simply smiled and shaken his head, saying he wasn't interested in such things. The Prime-Origin Covenant could be signed; it wouldn't affect the Heaven-Slaying Alliance in any way.
He had established the Heaven-Slaying Alliance not to unify the Prime-Origin Civilization or satisfy his own ambitions.
At that moment, Mu Yan realized that the perspectives of the clans in the Prime-Origin Civilization and Gu Changge would never align.
Their heights were different, and so were the vistas they beheld.
Gu Changge had truly established the Heaven-Slaying Alliance for the sake of all living beings, all clans, and for the purpose of "slaying the heavens." Seeing the clans of the Prime-Origin Civilization conspire against him like this filled her with anger and heartache.
"The Alliance Leader's strength is unfathomable. He should be fine," Mo Tong, who usually had an icy demeanor, spoke with rare concern.
Mu Yan glanced at her, surprised. This gray-haired girl, who was usually as silent as a statue, rarely spoke, let alone showed such genuine emotion.
Though she, like Mu Yan, had been with Gu Changge for a long time—since he had taken her from the gladiatorial arena in the Immortal Spirit Civilization—she rarely spoke. Apart from training in the art of killing under the White Bone Ancestor King, she was like a flawless ice sculpture.
"The Alliance Leader has been very kind to me. He's actually a warm and approachable person. He doesn't deserve to be plotted against like this."
Mo Tong, noticing Mu Yan's gaze, spoke softly. (For thrilling novels, visit Feilu!)
She would never forget the day Gu Changge had taken her from the dark, bloody, and filthy gladiatorial arena, allowing her to bask in sunlight and breathe fresh air.
"If anything happens to the Alliance Leader, I swear I'll make these people pay."
Mo Tong's pale gray eyes flickered with killing intent as she scanned the grand hall, her gaze lingering on Ling Yuling and the Saintess Xiyuan.
Inside the grand hall, terrifying auras clashed. Fists and palms flew, and Great Dao runes flickered into existence. The overwhelming force was like the sky splitting open, pressing down relentlessly.
Above, ancient Daoist artifacts floated—divine lamps, Taiji diagrams, Yin-Yang swords, Eight Trigrams mirrors, and immortal drums—all radiating billions of strands of light and Great Dao order, exuding a destructive aura. The edges of existence crumbled, and worlds collapsed.
This battle was earth-shattering, capable of piercing through billions of starry rivers. Even some Ancestral Dao Realm existences watched coldly, ready to join the fray at any moment.
Fortunately, this was the Mountain of Myriad Wonders, with its natural terrain and formations. Otherwise, the clash of even a single Dao Realm existence would have flattened the surroundings.
"Sister, why did you do this?"
Ling Yuxian was protected by several elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace, standing at the back.
She looked at her sister, who was confronting several Ancestral Dao Realm existences of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, her eyes filled with confusion and suppressed anger.
"I don't know why things turned out this way."
Ling Yuling shook her head gently, her voice tinged with helplessness and bitterness.
At this moment, she was also filled with shock and confusion, but now she had no choice but to confront the members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
Because, in the eyes of everyone present, including the elders and disciples of the Imperial Immortal Palace, this was seen as her doing—a plot she had orchestrated with various traditions and factions to kill Gu Changge.
Not far away, the Saintess Xiyuan was also forced to confront the members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
She didn't know whether to believe Ling Yuling's words. Was this the truth, or was Ling Yuling simply trying to shift the blame onto others?
Earlier, she and Ling Yuling had indeed discussed strategies and come up with several countermeasures, but Ling Yuling had never mentioned this plan to her.
"It must be said that she truly lives up to her reputation as a former hero who eradicated the Black Calamity. Her methods are truly admirable."
Shang Chongming, the ancient existence from Jiekong Ridge, looked at Ling Yuling with a mix of admiration and wariness.
The power that had just struck down had even made him, who had survived eight Heavenly Decline Tribulations, feel a chill of fear.
If caught off guard by such an attack, even he might have perished.
Even if the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance didn't die, he would surely be severely weakened, no longer at his peak.
"Such methods are indeed worthy of respect," Eternal Illumination Dao Lord also cupped his hands, his eyes filled with wariness.
"Hahaha, as expected of Senior Ling Yuling. Such methods are truly admirable. When dealing with someone like him, there's no need to adhere to principles or rules. As long as he's eliminated, it will be a great service to the Prime-Origin Civilization."
"This is a great merit. Senior Ling Yuling need not feel any guilt. We fully understand and applaud this move."
The sect master of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect was battling a Dao Realm existence from the Heaven-Slaying Alliance. With a sweep of his sleeve, two flying swords wrapped in chaotic light shot out, slicing through the air and causing the Dao Realm existence's arm to fracture, sending him flying with a spray of blood.
Standing with his sword, his aura sharp, the sect master's laughter echoed through the grand hall.
Other sect masters and leaders close to him also smiled, stroking their beards. Though they were surprised by what had just happened, they saw nothing wrong with it.
…Seeking flowers…
When dealing with someone like Gu Changge, the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, there was no need to adhere to morality or righteousness.
The Lord of Light from the Temple of Light and Darkness, the Buddha Lord from the Buddha Kingdom of Tathagata, and other leaders of immortal traditions watched from a distance.
They had been among the first to sign the Prime-Origin Covenant and were equally surprised by today's events.
But now, everyone in the grand hall was seen as an enemy by the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, especially those factions that had signed the covenant.
Ling Yuling stood in the air, her hair fluttering in the wind. Her once gentle and serene gaze now carried a sharp edge.
She coldly glanced at the sect master of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect, who was adding fuel to the fire at this critical moment, clearly hoping for a confrontation between her and the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
In her view, the Covenant Golden Book must have been tampered with by someone.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have suddenly gathered such destructive power to strike at Gu Changge.
The chaotic battle soon spilled out of the grand hall. Several Dao Realm existences clashed, their figures flying into the outer reaches of space. Divine light surged there, and terrifying scenes unfolded.
Countless cultivators and beings were filled with fear, overwhelmed by the oppressive aura. Their bones creaked under the pressure, threatening to collapse.
The heavens and earth continued to tremble violently. The surrounding divine trees collapsed, and from the depths of the cosmos, it looked as if an unimaginable rift had been torn open, as if sliced through by some incomprehensible force.
The aura radiating from the area was enough to make hearts tremble and souls shudder, capable of obliterating any living being's body and spirit.
…
Seeing that the situation was spiraling out of control, Ling Yuling, who had been confronting the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, had no choice but to act.
Her slender jade hand reached out, spanning the heavens, and extended into the outer reaches of space, separating the battling Dao Realm existences.
If they continued to fight, the surrounding cosmos would be devastated by the aftermath.
The sect masters of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect, Tuoyang Mountain, the Divine Ascension Cavern, and other traditions unleashed their auras, confronting the Heaven-Slaying Alliance. The tension was palpable.
The Saintess Xiyuan, Xiyin, Eternal Illumination Dao Lord, and other ancient existences also stepped forward, trying to calm the situation.
"Everyone, let's talk this through. The aura of the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance has already vanished. You are all esteemed sect masters. How can you still be so blinded as to serve him? It's truly foolish," one sect master sneered, scanning the members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
"You are all despicable and vile. The ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace has stooped to such lowly actions."
"And to think the Alliance Leader held you in such high regard. He agreed to sign the Prime-Origin Covenant out of respect for you."
"Who could have imagined that the heart of a woman could be so venomous? Ling Yuling, how can you plot against your benefactor? How can you live with yourself?"
"When you were trapped in that dark space, it was the Alliance Leader who personally rescued you. How could you repay him like this?"
"Tell me, what has the Alliance Leader ever done to wrong you? How could you go this far?"
Outside the grand hall, Hun Guangjun, Zhuo Fengxie, Chu Heng, and others stepped forward, their faces filled with rage and killing intent. Each of them radiated an overwhelming aura of destruction.
Jing Tianyun, the distant ancestor of the Jing Clan, was especially furious, publicly rebuking Ling Yuling without holding back.
The other Dao Realm existences of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance were equally enraged.
For them, this was truly unbelievable and unimaginable. They had never expected that, at the critical moment of signing the covenant, Ling Yuling and the others would tamper with the Covenant Golden Book and suddenly attack Gu Changge.
After all, who could have imagined they would be so despicable, committing such a shameless act in front of the entire Prime-Origin Civilization?
The members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had even advised Gu Changge to think carefully, believing that the Prime-Origin Covenant devised by the clans of the Prime-Origin Civilization might have ulterior motives.
Months ago, the members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had discussed the Prime-Origin Covenant with Gu Changge, believing that signing it would be a move to curb the alliance's growth.
The Prime-Origin Covenant was clearly designed to restrict the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
They had argued against signing it, believing that the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, with its current strength, had nothing to fear from any tradition or faction in the Prime-Origin Civilization.
In just a few thousand years, or even ten thousand, they could unify the Prime-Origin Civilization.
But at the time, Gu Changge had responded that this was not the way. If they waged war against the various factions, it would only harm innocent beings and clans, which went against his original purpose in establishing the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
If the Heaven-Slaying Alliance caused chaos and instability among the clans and factions, how was he any different from the remnants of the Black Calamity or demonic enemies?
Those calm and composed words had left a deep impression on the members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, earning their lasting respect and admiration.
Yet, who could have imagined that while Gu Changge had been considering the well-being of all living beings and clans, the clans had treated him like this? This truly chilled them to the core…